Tube-forming machine.



E. E. JOHNSON. TUBE FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED IUNE 4, 1908.

Patented June 1, 1915.

E. E. JOHNSON.

TUBE FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4. 1908.

Patented June 1, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E. E. JOHNSON,

TUBE FORMING MACHINE. I APPLICATION man JUNE 4. 1908.

Paterited June 1, 1915.

6 SHEET$-SHEET 3.

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MI H M 1 E. E. JOHNSON.

TUBE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1908- 1,141,712.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented June 1, 1915.

E. E. JOHNSON.

TUBE FORMING MACHINE, APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4. 1908.

1, 141,71 2. Patented June 1, 1915.-

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

WWI/4 QDCJLDDCD iQKDC) EDWARD E. JOHNSON, 015 81. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

TUBE-FOBMHTG MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 19315.

Application filed June 4, 1908. Serial No. 436,648.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Eowano E. JoHNsoN, of St. Paul, Ramsey count ,Minnesota, have invented certain new an useful Improvements in Tube-Forming Machines, of which the following is a specification.

T he object of my invention is to rovide a machine for forming tubular wel screens, an invention which forms the subject matter of Patent No. 899,054.

The invention consists enerally in roviding means for first millin the stran or wire of which the tube is formed, second punching the necessary holes therein to adapt the tube for use as a well screen, and

third, rolling up the wire to form the tube and locking the coils together.

Further, the invention consists in means whereby the arts of the machine are rendered adjusta le to adapt them for different speeds and for producing slight variations in the formation of the tubing.

Further, the invention consists in means for making tubing of diiferent sizes.

Further, the invention consists in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification; Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tube-forming machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line cc-a: of Fig.

- 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 31-31 of Fig. 1. Fl 6 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of ig. 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the frame and arbor of the milling mechanism. Fi 8 is a sectional view on the line w w 0 Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line v-o of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line a-a of Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line 0-0 of Fig. 4. Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view of the wire unching device. Fig. 13 is a detail sectiona view of one of the guiding and ressure rollers. Fig. 14 is a detail view 0 a portion of the strand or wire. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the wire. Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a portion of the tubing illustrating the manner of locking the coils of wire together. Figs. 17 and 18 are detail views of the standard upon which the completed tubing is supported.

In the drawing, 2 represents a suitable base upon which the frame 3 of the machine is mounted. On the left hand side of the machine a reel having a hank of wire 4 wound thereon, is mounted, the wire being unwound from the reel during the operation of the machine. This reel 1 have thought it unnecessary to illustrate as it forms no part of my present invention. The wire is obtained from wire-drawing mills formed in cross section substantially as shown in Fig. 15, except that the right hand groove is not drawn therein but is formed by a saw, and the first step in the operation of the machine is to form a groove in the wire, of the reuired depth and one that will be uniform tiroughout the length of the wire. To accomplish this I provide adjustable guide rollers 5 and 6 between which the wire is inserted. A saw arbor 7 is journaled in a bracket 8 and is provided with a driving pulley 9. This pulle is driven independently of the other mec ianism of the machine from a belt 10 to enable the operator to start the saw and speed it up to the desired point before setting the rest of the mechanism in motion. This enables me to stop the machine and start it again without affecting the milling operation. The arbor 7 has a device for end adjustment, consisting preferably of a threaded thrust collar 11 and a loose thrust ring 12 which tends to reduce the wear. A collet 13 is pinned on the arbor and has a recess in one end to receive the projecting end of the box 14 of said arbor. The collet at its opposite end has a broad fiat face 15 between which and a corresponding face 16 on a collet 17 the saw 18 is gripped and held. The faces of these colets are made as large as possible to support the saw close to the work, for as the groove is out deeper on one side than on the other the saw would tend to bind, unless supported laterally.

19 is a guide having a longitudinal groove 20 in its under side arranged to contact with and support the wire on the top, bottom and inner e ge.

Guide blocks 21 are provided having holes 22 to receive pins 23, said holes being of suiiicient size to permit lateral adjustment of said blocks by means of adjusting screws 24 mounted in the housing 25. These guide blocks sup ort the outer edge of the wire and are he d in close contact therewith by the adjusting screws. The guide 19 has an inclined rear face 26 and a wedge 27 is adapted to fit between said face and the wall of the housing and has a threaded end secured by a sleeve nut in an arm 28.

- the latter against lengthwise movement. By

means of this wedge and the adjusting screws, the guide may be moved in or out to adjust the wire laterally with respect to the saw and by means of the guide blocks 21 the tension of the wire as it is drawn through the guide can be regulated.

The position of the guide is varied vertically with respect to the sawarbor to accommodate .it to saws of different diameter and to regulate the cut of the saw-in making tubing of different sizes. This I accomplish by making the "housing 25 vertically slidable on the bracket 8 in which the saw arbor is mounted. The housing and bracket aretougued and grooved together and areheld by a bolt 31 passing throughholes of sufiicient size in the housing to allow vertical adjustment, by means= of adjusting screws 32. The outer collet 17 has an ex,- tensionthat is feathered on the arbor 7 anda collar 33 has an outwardly projecting lip 3t at its inner-end and is threaded on the extension of the colletl7 so that endwise adjustment of the collar 33 is permitted, the collet 1? being locked against rotary ad ust- L ment by its feathered connection with thearbor. A milling cutter 35 has an inwardly projecting lip 36 interlocking with the lip on the inner end of the collar 33 and a pin 37 is mounted in said collar and is arranged to project into a groove 38 in a cap 39, and in the end of the cutter, whereby the cap is locked against rotary movement, and the collar is also prev entcd from turning except with the cap 39. This cap lits loosely on the collar and the outer end of the arbor is threaded ano provided with a lock nut 40 which bears on the said cap and normally locks it against endwise movement. The milling cutter is provided with a series of teeth 41.

From the foregoing, it is evident that if thearbor 7 is held against rotation and the lock nut 40 1S loosened, the cutter 35, the collar 33 and the cap 39 may be revolved as one piece and the threaded connection be- 1 tween the, collar 33 and the collet 17 will cause endwise movement of the milling tool and adjust it with reference to the edgeof the wire. \Vhen the lock nut 40 is tightened the collet 17 will be forced against the saw and through friction between the threads of the collet 17 and the collar 33 will lock the milling tool in position and against rotation with respect to the saw. The milling tool will also be forced against the lip at the inner end of the collar 33 and be locked against endwise movement with respect to the arbor. I am thus able, by means of one lock nut to hold the saw and the milling tool in any desired relative position. ltis important to do this as I am thus able to regulate the amount cut oil the edge of the wire by the cutter and determine the proper Width of the groove formed between the coils of wire in the completed tube. The width of this groove- Will vary with different conditions and may be made according to the needs of each particular case.

.recessed end of thecollet 13 in'closing the.

box l-t-prevents any ofthe tool cuttings and liquid from working intothe bearings. The cap 39 has a lip 42 formed thereonbetween .whichwandthe end of the milling tool an annular recess 43 is formed to collect the liquid from the tool and throw it off by centrifugal force within the housing. The opening in the wall of the housing through which the cap 39 extends must necessarily be of sufiicient size to allow vertical adjust I ment of the housing. Consequently the lip.

and recess are necessary to prevent the liq-v uid from flowing out on the cap and being thrown off therefrom upon the floor and A disrliarge.

other parts of the -machine.

opening 44 for the tool cuttings is pro vided, beneath which suitable receptacles (not shown) may be arranged to receive the cuttings and return the liquid to the pump to be used over again.

The punching /1.e(/r].-The operation of forming the tube should be continuous. The wire should, therefore, be delivered to the rolling mechanism continuously andsuitable punching mechanism is provided which will form holes a fixed distance apart in the uniformly moving wire or strip of metal. A driving shaft 45 is journaled in the frame 3 and has a fly wheel pulley 46 on one end. A pinion 4-8 .on the shaft 45 meshes with an idle gear 49 which in turn drives a pinion 50 on a shaft 51. A stud 52 is mounted in the frame 3 abovethc' shaft 45 and is provided with an eccentric bushing 53 having a flanged outer end. The punch body 54 is pivoted on said bushing. Within this punch body is a reciprocating plunger 55 connected by the rod 56 with a crank pin 57 on the end of the shaft 45. As the wire is coustantl y in motion during the punching operation it is necessar that the punch body have. an oscillating movement to permit the punch to travel with the wire. I therefore connect the punch body with a crank pin 58 on the shaft 51 through a pin 59 and connecting rod 60. The shaft 51 revolves at the same speed as the shaft 45 and consequently the oscillations of the punch body will be properly timed with respect to the reciprocation of the punch plunger. The wire moves at a constant speed and the punch body should therefore move at the same rate and in the same direction. Various mechanical devices might be employed for producing this result but I have found that the simple connection of the punch body with the shaft 51 will answer the purpose and be easy of maintenance. The punch plunger 55 is provided with a socket at its lower end to receive a hardened steel sleeve 59 which is bored to fit. the punch 59. The punch is preferably made of steel wire with a small head formed on its upper end. The sleeve supports the punch throughout its length and permits it to be made of material that is always at hand and readily replaced when worn or broken. A suitable set screw 59" secures the sleeve 59 in its socket. The die block 60' is fitted into the lower end of the punch body and is held in place by a follower plate 61 and screws 62. A die 61' is fitted into the block 60 and is held in place therein by a' stripper plate 61 and screws 62". The stripper plate has a vertical opening 63 therethroughfor the passage of the punch, and a horizontal opening 63 to receive the moving wire and guide it during the punching operation and strip it from the punch when the hole has been formed.

The crank pin 57 has an eccentric bushing (53 on which the connecting rod 56 is supported, said bushing having a flanged outer end provided with a series of notches 64 adapted to receive a pin 65 by means of which the bushing is locked against accidental rotary movement. Upon loosening the bushing and rotating it the stroke of the plunger and punch may be regulated. By means of the eccentric bushing 53 the swinging punch body may be vertically adjusted to raise or lower 'the die block. This bushing when adjusted is locked by means of the nut 53 on the threaded end of the stud 52.

The tube-rolling 77 zechamTsm.-A standard 65 is mounted on the base of the machine and has a horn (37 formed thereon adapted to enter an opening in a disk 68 that is bolted to a flange 69 on said standard. A disk T0 is formed integrally with the disk 68and has a stud 69 on which the lower mandrel 70 of the tube rolling mechanism is mounted. The inner end of this lower mandrel has a gear 71 whose pitch line coincides with the outer diameter of the tube to be rolled. An upper mandrel 72 is mounted on a shaft 73 and a gear 74 on said shaft meshes with the gear 71 and drives the lower mandrel. The main driving shaft is geared to the shaft 73 through gear wheel 19, large gear 7 5, pinion 76 and gear 77. The tuberolling mandrel thus operates continuously with the main driving shaft.

The upper mandrel 72 is provided with an annular rib 78 that is adapted to enter the groove formed in the wire and guide it as it is rolled around the lower mandrel. The upper mandrel is capable ofv vertical adjustment to regulate the space between it and the lower mandrel by means of an eccentric bushing T 9 which incloses the shaft 73 and is provided with an arm 80 having an adjustable connection 81 with a curved rod 82. Upon loosening this connection the operator may move the arm up or down to rotate the eccentric bushing and raise or lower the upper mandrel for the purpose of relieving the pressure on the wire or increasing it. A series of guide rollers 83 are mounted on studs 84 in the disk 70. These rollers are driven by gears 85 on said studs meshing with the gear 71 on the inner end of the lower mandrel. The guide rollers 83 are provided with annular ribs 86 which are adapted to enter the groove in the wire, and the guide rollers are so arranged that these ribs are in different vertical planes, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that they will conform to the spiral or helical coil of the wire composing the tube. In other words the pitch of the ribs directs the wire under the top mandrel with the desired inclination to the axis of the tube: Preferably there are six coils to the inch. The guide rollers are arranged as near together as practicable and serve to hold the wire down firmly on the lower mandrel, thus keeping it true to the circle of the mandrel.

The roll 87 on the left hand side of the upper mandrel islocated above the wire as it enters the tube-forming head and consists of a plain cylindrical roll bearing on the surface of the completed tubing. It has no gear connection with the lower mandrel and no function in guiding the spiral. The mandrels operate together and the lower mandrel with the tubing thereon has the same ratio of velocity in its revolution as the upper mandrel. The disk 68 is secured by bolts 88 to the flange 69, and whenever desired the ma-ndrels may be removed from the machine and others substituted therefor. The wire 4 has the groove 89 formed therein when drawn. The groove 90 is cut by the saw. The edge 91 of the wire is trimmed to the required depth by the revolving milling tool and on the opposite edge of the wire a lip 92 1' is formed which enters the groove 90 during the formation of the tubing. A lip 93 is provided on the wire between the grooves 89 and 90 and when the coils are wrapped around the tube-forming head, the lip 92 of each coil will be pressed into the groove 90 of the contiguous coil by the pressure of the mandrels, and the lip 93 will be rolled or spun over the interlocking coils by the pressure of the mandrels until it is flushwith the inner surfaces of the coilsv asindicated 1n Fig. 16, and a smooth even surface is formed for the interior of the tubing. The holes 94:

punched in the bottom ofpthe-groove 259 by.

the punching mechanism aroiexposcd by the trimming of the edges v 91 as they pass through the milling tool. The degree of expos'ure of these holes will depend of course,

upon the amount trimmed otfthefedge ofthe wire by the action of the milling tool. If only a very light mill is trimmed. off then a narrow slot only will be formed, extending spirally around the tubing between the sep-v arate coils, but if a considerable portion of the edge 91 is removed then the full width of the holes Wlll be visible and the opposition to the passage of liquid and sand.

through the walls of the tubing considerably reduced.

I propose to vary the cutting of the milling tool and the width of the spiral slot in the walls of the tubing according to the requirements and the conditions surrounding each particular installation. The pressure of the mandrels on the wire will be suiiicient to feed it, and the necessary tension to keep the wire taut and prevent vibration can be easily obtained by means of the adjustable guide blocks on the milling head. 1

The tube-forming head is removable from its support and by. substituting another of different size I am able to vary the diameter 1 the upper mandrel and regulate the pressure on the wire according to the degree required for the. proper locking together of the spiral coils. i I p In Figs. 17 and 18 I have shown a standard adapted for supporting the completed tubing. This standard consists I of a base 105 having points 106 on its lower surface to' prevent it from slipping, and gprovided. with a centrally arranged socket to receive a vertically adjustable shank 107 secured to said v socket by' means of a-set screw 10 8.l,l. .;;Arms 109 are carried by the shank and provided with anti-friction rollers 110, between which the tubing is supported. The lower ends of H the arms have weights 111 thereon.

or milling op-' longitudinally of said wire..

I claim as my invention: 1. The combination with means for form-- mga groove ma wire, of means for continuou'sly'l' feeding said wire thereto, of means for pjunchin through sai Wire as it is delivered ,from said groove forming means.

2. The combination with ing'a longitudinal groove in a flattened wire, of'mean's for continuously feeding said wire thereto, meansfor trimming the edge of said wire and means for punching holes suc- ;cessively through said wireas it is delivered from said groove forming means.

3'. The combination with a supporting frame, pf a punching head mounted thereon, means for laterally oscillating said head, means .for continuously feeding a wire a series of holes successively means for formv through said head, means for punching holes I V successively in said wire as it is fed through said head and means subsequently operating upon said wire for forming a fiat surface thereon.

4. The combination with a supporting frame, of an oscillating punching head mounted thereon, means for adjusting said head vertically, means for laterally oscillating said head, means for continuously feedmg the wire through said head,and means for punching a series of holes successivelyin the wire as it is fed throughsaid head.

5. The combination with a supporting frame, of. a stud mounted thereon, an eccentrio bushing carried by said stud, apunch-' mg headqournaled on said bushing, means for feeding a wire through said head, means for punching a series of holes successively in 1 said wire, as it is fed through said head, and means for oscillating said head about said eccentric bushing, andin the direction 6. The combination of a frame, of a punching head mounted thereon,

means for feeding a wire continuously through said head, means for oscillating said head In a direction longitudinally of said wire, a die mounted in said head, means for adjusting said die vertically, a reciprocating punch arranged to punch a series of holes successively in said wire as it is fed through said head-and means subsequently operatin upon said wire for'forming a" fiat surface t ereon.

7. The combination with a supporting i frame, of a punching head pivoted at its alpine :iend thereon, means for feeding a wire -=throu said punching head, means connecte .to the lower end of said head for oscillatingthe same in a direction longitudinall "of said wire, a punching die in saidh al ,means c: rried bv said punching head for .a series of holes in said-wire as the through which the wire is fed, and

punchin sameised through said head.

1 supporting.

frame, of a punching head pivoted thereto,

means for adjusting said head vertically, a

driving shaft, a punching. plunger slidably mounted in said head, and having adjustable connection with said shaft whereby the working position of'the plunger may be varied, a punch carried by said plunger, a die mounted in said head, means for continuously feeding the wire between said punch and said die, and means for oscillating said head in a direction longitudinally of said wire.

V 9. The combination with a supporting frame, of a punching head pivoted thereto, means for adjusting said head vertically, a plunger slidably mounted in said head, a driving shaft having a crank pin connection with said plunger, an eccentric bushing, and means coi'sperating therewith whereby said plunger may be raised or lowcred, a punch mounted in said plunger, a die carried by said head and coiiperating with said punch, means for feeding the wire continuously between said punch and said die, and means for oscillating said head in a di rection longitudinally of said wire.

10. A machine for forming tubes including in combination, means for forming a groove in a wire, an upper and a lower mandrel, means for revolving said mandrels, said upper mandrel having a rib formed thereon for engaging a groove in the wire forming the tube, and guiding the same, and

wire guiding rolls provided at intervals around the periphery of said lower mandrel, each of said rolls having a rib for engaging the groove in said wire and guiding the same, said guiding rolls being disposed so as to direct said wire spirally aboutsaid lower mandrel.

11. A machine for forming tubes includingin combination, an upper and a ower mandrel, means for revolving said mandrels,

said upper mandrel having a rib formed thereon for engaging a groove in the wire forming the tube and guiding the same, and 'wire guiding rolls provided at intervals around the periphery of said lower mandrel,

each of said rolls having a rib for engaging the groove in said wire, and guiding the same, said guiding rolls being disposed so as to direct said wire spirally about said lower mandrel, and means for adjusting the upper mandrel relative to the lower mandrel.

1:2. A machine for forming tubes including in combination, an upper and a lower mandrel, means for revolving said mandrels, said upper mandrel having a rib formed thereon for engaging a groove in the wire forming the tube and guidingthe same, wire guiding rolls provided at intervals around the periphery of said lower mandrel, each of said rolls having a rib for engaging the groove in said wire and guiding the same, said guiding rolls being disposed so as to direct said wire spirally about said lower mandrel, and an eccentric bushing for adjusting the position of the upper mandrel relative to said lower mandrel.

13. A tube forming machine including in combination, means for milling a groove in a wire, means for punching holes successively in said wire, and a tube forming bead including an upper and a lower mandrel, said upper mandrel having a rib formed thereon for engaging the groove in the wire for guiding the same, guiding rolls arranged at intervals about said lower mandrel and having ribs formed thereon for engaging the groove in saidwire and guiding the same,

said guiding rolls being arranged whereby said wire is guided in a spiral direction about said mandrel.

14. A tube forming machine including in combination, means for guiding a wire having a groove formed in its upper face and a downwardly projecting lip on its lower face, means for engaging and grooving the lower .face of said vire, a mandrel about which said wire may be wound, a second mandrel cooperating with said first named mandrel for guiding said wire about said first named mandrel in a spiral direction. and for turning said lip so as to lock the fiat wire in one spiral with the adjacent edge of said wire in the next spiral, 'guiding' rolls arranged about said lower mandrel for guiding and directing said wire about said lower mandrel in a spiral direction.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of June 1908.

EDWARD E. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

J. H. BALDWIN, J. A. BYINGTON. 

